5/19 CHW@CHC 2:55 p.m.; TV: Fox; Radio: WGN

[VanMan]

It's round two, er game two of the three-game set between the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Interleague action. The Cubs are coming off the come-from-behind win, 7-3, yesterday afternoon, spurred by a three-run rally in the bottom of the 7th inning to give Ted Lilly the win.

Today, A.J. Pierzynski, aka Michael Barrett's punching bag, returns to the line-up after a day off yesterday (and the verbal tirades it caused on The Score). Meanwhile, Derek Lee continues to recover from neck spasms and misses another game.

Today's starting pitchers are:

http://www.mlb.com/images/players/action/ph_134320.jpg
Javier Vazquez (2-2, 3.86 ERA) for the White Sox

and

http://www.mlb.com/images/players/action/ph_150302.jpg
Jason Marquis (5-1, 2.22 ERA) for the Cubs

The starting line-ups are as follows:

For the White Sox:
1. Darin Erstad, CF (.261, 2 HR, 16 RBI)
2. Juan Uribe, SS (.229, 5 HR, 18 RBI)
3. A.J. Pierzynski, C (.246, 7 HR, 14 RBI)
4. Jermaine Dye, RF (.217, 8 HR, 22 RBI)
5. Paul Konerko, 1B (.190, 5 HR, 20 RBI)
6. Rob Mackowiak, LF (.192, 1 HR, 5 RBI)
7. Tadahito Iguchi, 2B (.234, 2 HR, 7 RBI)
8. Joe Crede, 3B (.200, 3 HR, 14 RBI)
9. Juan Vazquez, P (carreer .215, 1 HR, 24 RBI)

For the Cubs:
1. Ryan Theriot, SS (.296, 0 HR, 14 RBI)
2. Matt Murton, RF (.274, 1 HR, 8 RBI)
3. Alfonso Soriano, LF (.290, 4 HR, 8 RBI)
4. Aramis Ramirez, 3B (.277, 10 HR, 31 RBI)
5. Daryle Ward, 1B (.296, 0 HR, 3 RBI)
6. Michael Barrett, C (.256, 6 HR, 22 RBI)
7. Jacque Jones, CF (.264, 1 HR, 13 RBI)
8. Mark DeRosa, 2B (.236, 4 HR, 18 RBI)
9. Jason Marquis, P (.217, 0 HR, 2 RBI)

Lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllet's get ready to rrrrrrrrrummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmblllllllllllllllllllle!

[VanMan]

I just hope that Barrett gets a chance to tag up on a fly ball or round third and head to home on a play at the plate and just plow right through Pierzynski like a runaway freight train and just lay him on his @$$!

[VanMan]

Pre-game show is over, now let's get ready to play some ball.

[VanMan]

Erstad leads off the game, takes a ball outside. The 1-0 is low and away. A backdoor slider catches the knees for a strike. Grounder to Ward, he can't come up with the play. Erstad on base, with an error on Ward.

[VanMan]

Uribe took a ball, and then fouls one off. He swings and misses a change-up, 1-2. Fastball is too high, trying to get him to chase one. Another change is swung on and missed. Here comes Pierzynski.

[VanMan]

Pierzynski steps to the plate under a chorus of boos. He takes a change low. He flies to Soriano for the second out, and the Cub fans cheer!

[VanMan]

Dye takes a strike at the knees, somewhat offspeed. He hits a grounder to DeRosa. DeRosa bobbles the ball, but is able to recover to throw to Ward to retire the side. No runs, no hits, an error and one left.

Middle 1st, White Sox 0, Cubs coming up

[VanMan]

Theriot, after reading the starting line-up, takes a strike from Vazquez. He then fouls off the 0-1 to make it 0-2. Change is low and away, 1-2. Fastball just off the plate, it's 2-2. Theriot grounds to Uribe, throws to first for the out.

[VanMan]

Murton takes one in the dirt. Grounder to Uribe, off-balanced throw from deeeeeeep in the hole to Konerko, just in time. Two away.

[VanMan]

Soriano swings and misses at a pitch that may have been just off the plate away. The 0-1 is upstairs. Another fastball away, but swung and missed, 1-2. Vazquez tries to go upstairs, but Soriano fouled it off. Curve ball grounded to Crede, who throws to first to get Soriano. Nothing doing for the Cubs in the first.

End 1st, Cubs 0, Sox 0

[VanMan]

Konerko takes the first two out of the zone. The 2-0 is low. The 3-0 is low and away, and Konerko draws the lead-off walk on four pitches.

[VanMan]

Mackowiack takes a ball low and away. Barrett goes out to chat with Marquis. Change away is fouled to the left. The 1-1 is bounced. Mackowiack fouls the 2-1 into the stands. The 2-2 is low and in, full count. Grounder to Ward, unable to handle the sharp grounder, ball deflects to DeRosa, and Ward is able to get back to the bag to receive the ball. Score it 3-4-3.

[VanMan]

Iguchi takes a strike from Marquis. The 0-1 is low. Fastball just off the plate away, it's 2-1. Iguchi fouls one to the upper deck on the right side, 2-2. Iguchi swings and misses one right down the middle. Two down.

[VanMan]

First pitch is a strike to Crede. Next pitch is high, ball one. Fastball is over the outside corner, 1-2. Another fastball just misses, 2-2, as the Cubs fans groan. Fly ball to center, Jones is there to make the catch, side retired and the lead-off walk is stranded.

Middle 2nd, Cubs 0, Sox 0

[VanMan]

Ramirez leads off the second with a ground ball past Uribe into center field on the first pitch. Attaboy!

[VanMan]

Ward takes a ball, low and away. He then sends a ball into the gap in right center. While Ward shops for some khakis and a few polos, Ramirez rounds third and comes home to score the game's first run. Cubs up 1-0!

[VanMan]

Barrett takes a back-door breaking ball for a strike. He pops one foul back, 0-2. Barrett reaches out to ground to Iguchi. Ward advances to third on the ground out.

[VanMan]

Jones takes a change inside. He lifts one to center, Erstad makes the catch turned around, so Ward scores from third easily on the sac fly. Cubs up 2-0.

[VanMan]

DeRosa takes an off-speed pitch for a strike. Fastball misses, 1-1. Next pitch is low and away, 2-1. Swing and a miss on a low-outside pitch, 2-2. DeRosa looks at a fastball that catches the outside corner to retire the side. However, the Cubs score a pair on two hits. No one left.

End 2nd, Cubs 2, Sox 0

[SKIPPER 11]

great execution barrett and Jones

[VanMan]

Vazquez strikes out swinging to start the inning for the Sox. And then on a 0-1 count, Erstad grounds it past Ward to DeRosa, who throws it to Marquis covering first.

[VanMan]

Uribe takes a called strike inside. The 0-1 bounces away from Barrett. Uribe fouls one back, it's 1-2. He chases one away to retire the side. Sox go 1-2-3.

Middle 3rd, Cubs 2, Sox 0

[VanMan]

I'm going to do play-by-play for one more half-inning, then I'm going to get ready for work. Mara, you want to take over?

[SKIPPER 11]

Didnt mean to mess you up. I live in TN Yanks and Mets on here

[VanMan]

Marquis leads off the Cubs 3rd, and takes outside. C.B. Bucknor calls time, Joe West caught Vazquez going to his mouth, automatic ball, 2-0. Marquis checks and takes low, 3-0. Strike called at the knees, 3-1. Swing and a miss, full count. He flies one very high to Erstad in right-center for the first out.

[VanMan]

Didnt mean to mess you up. I live in TN Yanks and Mets on here
That's fine. I was talking to ARamFan.

Meanwhile, Theriot flies out on the second pitch to right field.

[ARamfan]

I'm going to do play-by-play for one more half-inning, then I'm going to get ready for work. Mara, you want to take over?

Thanks for the offer, I appreciate it, but let's just say I'm not you, nor am I Heather! I'd be about an inning and a half behind, with multiple inaccuracies and biased comments sprinkled throughout. :p No exaggeration. Is anyone else logged on who could take over?

[VanMan]

Murton takes one high for a ball. Change up goes over the plate, even though Murton wasn't able to hold his swing. Swing and a miss, 1-2. Murton down on strikes. Cubs do nothing.

End 3rd, Cubs 2, Sox 0

[VanMan]

Well, I'll see you guys tomorrow. Mara, just do your best. You are allowed to be a homer. This is the Cubs board, anyway.

[ARamfan]

I won't try to do play-by-play, but I can chat a little and give the score. Hopefully everyone is listening to WGN, so they can get the correct information. :p

[ARamfan]

2 and 1 on Dye, with Pierzynski on first. Keep an eye on AJ!

Dye grounded out.

Fouled away.

Base hit for Dye--a double--AJ on third and no outs!

[ryno4ever]

Hi everyone, I'll be on and off occasionally, I am trying to get my yardwork done in between innings, (so I can't do the play by play correctly...) I did notice that Marquis is trying too hard to keep his pitches down, and he is falling behind on many batters. The wind is blowing out, so he kinda has to, but he can't seem to hit his spots.

[ARamfan]

Konerko up to bat.

Bounces it foul. 1 and 1.

He makes contact.

Rammy throws to first in time, one away!

[ryno4ever]

Marquis needs a strikeout right now with runners at the corners and only one away.

[ryno4ever]

Ugh...tie game with a basehit

[ARamfan]

Machoviac (sp?) gets a hit.

Runners at 1st and 3rd, one run in for the Sox.

Iguchi is up to bat.

Told you I suck at this.

Iguchi has tied it with a single to left.

Second run scored. Now we're tied.

[ryno4ever]

Barrett needs to go out and calm Marquis down...slow the game down a little.

[ryno4ever]

Just call Mackowiac a "Cub Killer"...he has always killed the cub, especially at Wrigley.

[ryno4ever]

Vazquez advances the runners with a successful bunt.

[ryno4ever]

Erstad comes to bat as the 8th batter...2 outs, runners at second and third. Marmol is warming up in the pen

[ARamfan]

Crede facing Marquis.

One strike.

(Sailboats out on Lake Michigan today).

2 and 1 now.

Base hit to left on the ground. He drives one in.

Soriano's throw not in time. Another run in, Machoviac (sp?) scores.

5 hits in this inning so far against Marquis.

Vasquez showing bunt.

Strike.

Bunted--Barrett throws to 1st in time!

2 down, one to go to end this scary inning.

[ryno4ever]

Marquis has thrown 26 pitches this inning alone.

[ryno4ever]

White Sox take the lead on 3 runs and 5 hits... come on Cubbies... bring out the lumber and let the wind carry it out.

[ryno4ever]

Hey, Mara, you're doing just fine! :)

[ryno4ever]

Girardi is on Fox today, again, which is much better than the other Fox guys. And much much much better than Baker on ESPN the other night.

[ARamfan]

Gound ball to the right. DeRosa throws to 1st and he's out.

Middle of the 4th

White Sux 3 Cubs 2.

Heather, HELP with play-by-play. :eek:

[ARamfan]

I told Van I'd do a little bit, but that it would suck. You're a pro at it. T

[ryno4ever]

Soriano leads off. His stance somewhat bothers me.... he crouches down so low, I think he shrinks his strike zone...as he grounds out for the first out.

They are talking to Ozzie now... Oh, how I despise this man!

[ARamfan]

A strike. 1 and 1 on Sori.

Ground ball and stinking Iguchi gets it and throws Sori out!

Hot stuff is coming up!

[ryno4ever]

I was dumb and re-arranged my living room...I moved my computer to the same wall as my tv (because of the cable wires)..now I can't see the TV and the computer at the same time!

[ARamfan]

Are you doing play-by-play now?

[ryno4ever]

Ramirez strikes out... Daryle Ward at the plate...Takes ball one... Swinging strrike for a 1-1 count. Ward flies out to center field for a 1-2-3 fourth inning. They need to get the momentum turned back around. There are way to many Sox fans at Wrigley and it is adding to the Sox's momentum.

[ryno4ever]

Are you doing play-by-play now?

For a little bit, but I am trying to get my house work done in between innings as well before my son comes home from his grandma's house in a bit.

[ARamfan]

Just as an interesting sidebar, Pat and Ron were just talking about Jose Contreras and Contreras is my maiden name. :cool:

[ARamfan]

That's funny. I'm getting work done too, since I'm listening to WGN.

Here comes A.J. Boooooooooooooo!

[ryno4ever]

1-2-3 six pitch inning for Marquis... 2 flyouts 1 groundout.

[ryno4ever]

Top 5th: Chi White Sox
- J. Uribe flied out to left
- A.J. Pierzynski grounded out to first
- J. Dye flied out to left

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
Chi White Sox 3, Chi Cubs 2

[ryno4ever]

Barrett ties the game with a homer!

[ryno4ever]

Jones flies out to center

[ARamfan]

Bottom of the 5th. Michael Barret is up.

Ball one.

Ron thinks Michael has been too anxious at the plate this season.

Ball two.

Fly ball into right.

Home Run! Wind carried it out!

Tie game now!

[ryno4ever]

They are interviewing Lou.... loves the Crosstown Classic atmostphere!

[ryno4ever]

DeRosa draws a walk... are you guys getting to see this on tv?

[ryno4ever]

Lou has given Marquis the okay to swing away instead of bunt.

[ARamfan]

I don't get in on TV today in AZ. FOX has Mets and Yankees. And MLB.TV has it blacked out. All I get for this one is WGN radio, but I'm not complaining. ;)

[ryno4ever]

Marquis just helped himself with a 2 run homer!

[ryno4ever]

He hit it to the deepest part of the ballpark for his 3rd home run!

[ARamfan]

They are interviewing Lou.... loves the Crosstown Classic atmostphere!

Lou's probably overwhelmed!

[ryno4ever]

Followed by a basehit by Theriot!

[ryno4ever]

High fives to you all!

[ARamfan]

2-run homer by MARQUIS! :D See that Cards fans?

[ryno4ever]

Bottom 5th: Chi Cubs
- M. Barrett homered to deep right
- J. Jones flied out to center
- M. DeRosa walked
- J. Marquis homered to deep center, M. DeRosa scored
- R. Theriot singled to center
- M. Murton struck out swinging
- A. Soriano struck out swinging

3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors
Chi White Sox 3, Chi Cubs 5

[ryno4ever]

Hey, our battery today (catcher/pitcher) hit a homer in the same inning!

[ARamfan]

Sori strikes out.

End of the 5th

Cubs-5 Sux-3

[ARamfan]

Hey, our battery today (catcher/pitcher) hit a homer in the same inning!

Very lucky! :)

[ARamfan]

Did I hear Pat and Ron mention earlier that Marmol is coming up?

[ryno4ever]

Iguchi gets a basehit and Crede drives him in with a 2 run homer...tied again.

[ryno4ever]

Did I hear Pat and Ron mention earlier that Marmol is coming up?

Marmol was warming up in the bullpen earlier.

[ARamfan]

Crede has a line drive HR. We are now tied, 5-5 :mad:

[ryno4ever]

Top 6th: Chi White Sox
- P. Konerko grounded out to third
- R. Mackowiak popped out to shallow left
- T. Iguchi singled to center
- J. Crede homered to deep left, T. Iguchi scored
- J. Vazquez grounded out to shortstop

2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors
Chi White Sox 5, Chi Cubs 5

[ARamfan]

Marmol was warming up in the bullpen earlier.

Oh? :confused: I'm really behind on that one.

[ryno4ever]

They brought him up yesterday and sent Fontenot back down. They wanted a power pitcher in the pen to help alleviate some of the pressure off of Howry. Howry had seemed to have lost his velocity... but seemed to have found it yesterday where he threw in the low to mid 90's.

[ARamfan]

Top of the 7th.

Oh-Man is now pitching.

Wuertz throwing in the pen.

[ARamfan]

Erstad is safe at 1st.

Ron thinks Rammy is playing too far back. (We'll see). Remember the comment earlier about Barrett.

[ARamfan]

Ohman got Erstad out at 1st.

1 out. Still tied.

Uribe on first.

AJ is up. Boooooooooo!

[ARamfan]

2 and 2 on A.J. now.

One more, Oh-man.

3 and 2 now on Pierzynski.

A.J. walks. Booooo.

Germaine Dye up now.

Here comes Sweet Lou to the mound, Wuertz will take over.

[ARamfan]

Pat tells us that the wind is blowing out.

Still 7th inning--still tied.

A runner on first and one on 2nd.

Dye up to bat.

Wuertz now pitching.

[ARamfan]

Double play--Rammy got him running to third and threw to Ward at first in time!!!! End of inning.Yay.

We're still tied.

Middle of 7th

Chi Sux-5 Chi Cubs-5

[ARamfan]

JJ, first batter up for the bottom of the 7th.

JJ hits a flyball, left field, Machoviac made the catch. JJ is out.

DeRosa up now.

Pat and Ron say that DeRosa has been checking a lot lately.

DeRosa missed a good pitch that time. And he's out.

Izturis hitting for Marquis.

Fly ball to center and he's out.

Still tied 5-5. Heading into the 8th.

I do apologize for my pathetic play-by-play. At least I can give the correct score though! :p

[ARamfan]

I HATE these tie games. As we've seen lately, anything can happen!

Howry will begin the 8th inning.

[ARamfan]

Konerko is first batter.

He's 2 and 1.

Come on Bob Howry!

Fly ball left field--a HR--UGH! Into the bleachers, no less. :p

They now lead 6-5.

[ARamfan]

Machoviak (sp?) 2nd batter.

2 and 1.

Fly ball, deep left, caught by Sori for out #1.

[ARamfan]

Iguchi approaches the plate to a lot of boooooing.

He's got a double. (Boooo)

Crede up now.

1 out, one runner on 2nd.

Murton makes the catch for the 2nd out.

Pinch hitter is Ryan Sweeney. Only LH batter on the bench.

1 strike for Sweeney.

David Aardsma is throwing in the Sux pen. (Remember him?)

0 and 2 on Sweeney.

Howry throws to Ward to end the inning

Yay, third out.

Bottom of the 8th.

Chi Sux-6 Chi Cubs-5

[ARamfan]

Okay Cubbies, this is where we need to turn it around!

Aardsma is on the mound. He shouldn't be too familiar with the first 3 batters.

Up to bat first, is The Riot.

Lines one down right field line--he's GOT A TRIPLE! He's a RIOT!!

(Tying run with nobody out!) Come onnnnnnnnn!

Cliff Floyd PH for Matt Murton.

[ARamfan]

Ground ball to right--Cornelius Clifford Floyd thrown out by Iguchi. One down.

Here comes Soriano.

Base hit--left center.

The Riot scores and we're tied again 6-6! :D

[ARamfan]

Rammy lined one to the opposite field.

Sori came around from 1st.

And Rammy ran ALL THE WAY to 3rd!

7-6! We're winning now!

[ARamfan]

Ward walks. (sorry, missed some of that due to the ARam excitement).

Barrett now up.

(Dempster now throwing in the pen).

[ARamfan]

Barrett hits a bullet! He is on 1st.

Ward on 2nd.

And Aramis holding at 3rd. (He made good decision to hold there).

Bases loaded with Cubs!

Ozzie wants to change Aardsma out for a LH pitcher.

The crowd is going crazy over Boone Logan pitching and DLee pinch hitting!


Bottom of the 8th, 1 out,7-6 Cubs winning.

[ryno4ever]

I'm back...just in time for a pinch hit grand slam home run by our loveable dee lee!

[ryno4ever]

HUGE....HUGE....HUGE!!!!!

[ARamfan]

Lee misses 1st pitch.

He's now 1 and 1.

DLee is the PH for JJ.

2 and 1.

Lee now 3 and 1! (Talk about suspense!)

DLee Line to right center, near the wall----ther it goes with bases loaded! It's a GRAND SLAM! GRAND SLAM! GRAND SLAM! by DLee!

Lee is making a curtain call!

11-6! Read it 11-6!

[ARamfan]

Okay, the tears are streaming down my face now guys!

I gotta recover. 'Mara to earth' - 'Mara to earth.'

I think Izzy is up to bat.

Izzy is on 1st.

I wish I could have seen this game. Not on FOX or MLB.TV for Ariz. today. I've just got Pat and Ron.

[ARamfan]

Struck out. Inning over.

Oh well, we scored 6 in 1 inning. Cubs get a standing ovation. Thank you DLee!

Chi Sux - 6 Chi Cubs - 11

[ryno4ever]

Mara, you had a better call on that then the guys on Fox did!!!!!! I'm going insane... I went out to finish putting the fertilizer on my roses in time to see DeeLee step to the plate... no one home, my parents are in Chicago at a graduation...and NO ONE TO GIVE A HIGH FIVE TO! I yelled so loudly, my neighbors across the street looked over at my house!

[ARamfan]

How did you like that, Heather? :cool:

[ryno4ever]

WHO said Lee wasn't ready to play?????

[ryno4ever]

OMG, I'm so excited right now.... two outs to go and then we head to tomorrow for the sweep!!!!!!

[ryno4ever]

On your feet boys and girls.....

[ARamfan]

Just remember, The Riot started off that inning! 41,101 in attendance today. What a game to see!

Into the 9th, Marmol on the mound.

1st out. (not sure who that batter was because I'm still too overwhelmed, who was it, Heather?)

Juan Uribe is the 2nd batter.

Rammy caught it, Uribe is out!

[ryno4ever]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w224/ryno4ever/sweep2.jpg

CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!

[ARamfan]

2 outs, 9th inning, Cubs leading by 5.

A.J. Pierzynski is up. (How appropriate, huh? Hopefully he'll end it.)

Izzy makes the catch!

CUBS WIN CUBS WIN 11-6, DLee comes off the bench for a Grand Slam. :D

[ARamfan]

This game ran 2 hours and 43 wonderful minutes!

Tomorrow the SWEEEEEEEEEEP!

[ARamfan]

Is the game on WGN-TV tomorrow? I hope so, right now I can't remember. :confused:

[ARamfan]

According to Ron, 'The Offense' was the player of the game with special thanks to Jason Marquis. DLee will be in the lineup tomorrow. Zambrano v. Contreras at 1:20 p.m.

[ryno4ever]

Lou just said that he would see how Lee feels before he inserts him tomorrow. But the good news is since they used him today, they won't send him onto the DL because they were going to back date it to last monday, and he would have only been out for about another week, but it sounds like we will have Dee Lee soon, and boy does it show that we need him!

[ARamfan]

Lou just said that he would see how Lee feels before he inserts him tomorrow. But the good news is since they used him today, they won't send him onto the DL because they were going to back date it to last monday, and he would have only been out for about another week, but it sounds like we will have Dee Lee soon, and boy does it show that we need him!

You can say that again!

[ARamfan]

They're replaying the radio broadcast and you should hear Ron. He's just laughing and screaming in the background, while Pat is trying to keep his composure during the Derrek Lee grand slam. :D